Why is a surgical scrub performed before a procedure?

A surgical scrub is performed primarily to reduce resident flora and eliminate transient flora on the hands and forearms of the surgical team. This is crucial because the skin naturally harbors microorganisms, some of which can be pathogenic. During a surgical procedure, any contamination from these flora can lead to infections, which pose significant risks to patient safety.

The process of surgical scrubbing typically involves thorough washing with antiseptic solutions, which aims to minimize the microbial load. This is essential in creating a safe environment for the surgical site. It is important to note that while maintaining a sterile environment is also a goal of the surgical scrub, the specific act of scrubbing is more directly related to the reduction of harmful bacteria rather than maintaining sterility overall, which encompasses other factors such as sterile instruments, surgical attire, and draping techniques.

Preparing instruments, ensuring proper handwashing technique, and maintaining a sterile environment all contribute to the overall goal of infection prevention, but the primary focus of the surgical scrub centers specifically on the reduction of microbial flora.